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Planning Your Trip to Jasper National Park

What to Expect in Jasper in 2026 Which airport to fly into to get to Jasper When to go to Jasper How to get around in Jasper Where to stay in Jasper Where to eat in Jasper What else can you do besides hiking in Jasper?Dangers in the park What else you need to know about Jasper Canadian Rockies Articles

Lynn Campbell

Jun 20, 2026

Lynn is the co-Founder of 10Adventures. She had never slept outside until she was 28 years old, and now is an ardent hiker, backpacker, traveller, and bike tourer!

In the heart of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Chain you’ll find the country’s largest national park: Jasper.

With jagged mountain peaks, towering glaciers, flourishing lakes, cascading waterfalls and seemingly endless canyons—the sheer size of Jasper will shock even the most experienced outdoor explorer. The park itself is more than 11,000 square kilometres, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 1984.

You can opt to combine a trip to Jasper with nearby Banff and Lake Louise for the ultimate activity package—hiking, canoeing, bicycling, white water rafting, and more in summer or snaking down world class ski trails, exploring the backcountry and unwinding in the Miette Hot Springs in winter. We hope you’re rested—the list of things to do in Jasper is extensive.

Jasper National Park is located 370.0 km west of Edmonton, 404.0 km northwest of Calgary and 805.0 km northeast of Vancouver. You can reach the town of Jasper from the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), which travels through the Canadian Rockies north to south. The other major road is Route 16, which cuts through Jasper National Park and Jasper town site east to west.

Here we’ll take you through the basic overview of hiking in Jasper National Park—including how to get there, where to stay, where to eat, what to see and what to watch out for.

What to Expect in Jasper in 2026

Jasper is open and welcoming visitors in 2026, but a few things are worth knowing before you go:

Recovering from the 2024 wildfire: a major wildfire affected the Jasper townsite and parts of the park in July 2024. The town reopened in September 2024 and most hotels, restaurants and services are operating again, though rebuilding continues. Book accommodation early, as availability is still tighter than before.
Check what is open before you go: most roads, trails and major sights have reopened, but some areas remain closed for restoration. Parks Canada keeps an interactive “what’s open” map that is the best source for current trail, road and attraction status in 2026.
Book popular dates early: July and August are the busiest and accommodation fills fast. For warm days and smaller crowds, aim for mid-June or September.
Come prepared for the mountains: weather changes quickly and nights are cold even in summer. Carry layers, bear spray and sun protection, and check road and trail conditions before each day out.

For the current status of trails, roads and attractions, see Parks Canada’s what’s open in Jasper National Park page.

Which airport to fly into to get to Jasper

To reach Jasper via airplane there are two options. The closest is Edmonton International Airport (YEG). We prefer to fly in via Calgary International Airport (YYC). Flying into Calgary allows you a stunning drive past Banff, Lake Louise and then up one of the most incredible roads on earth, the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N).

Both airports serve regional and international airlines on a daily basis, are located within a 2–4 hour drive from Jasper and offer rental car services.

Visiting Sunwapta Falls is a must-do in Jasper National Park

When to go to Jasper

Jasper is accessible all year round, categorized by short summers and long winters. The weather changes vastly across the park due to the mountainous terrain that creates a variety of microclimates. Elevation, latitude, prevailing winds, shading from the mountains and wind from the glaciers are all factors in the daily area’s climate. Altitude, for example, has a significant impact. In Jasper you can expect a decrease in temperature of 1.7 degrees Celsius for each 300 m gained.

Warmer spring weather reaches the valley in mid-April and the higher elevation in mid-June. During this time you can enjoy warm days – albeit with varied temperatures. The flowers are also in bloom and the crowds decreased. The crowds come in as summer approaches, and the sun begins to heat the landscape to a balmy daily maximum of 22.5 degrees Celsius. Summer, especially July, is the most popular time to visit Jasper. During this time the days are long, but as a whole the summer season is relatively short. As September approaches the leaves will begin to change colours, and although the sky is typically clear during the fall, temperatures begin to cool significantly by October and November. The long winter can be volatile and unforgiving in Jasper. Cold storms are frequent, but this also brings the winter sports enthusiasts to the area. January is the coldest month, where the temperature rarely comes above-9 degrees Celsius.

Average monthly temperature and precipitation:

Average monthly temperature in Jasper National Park

How to get around in Jasper

There aren’t many options for public transportation in Jasper. If you’re planning on covering a lot of area you really need an automobile to get around. If that’s not possible there are a few shuttle buses available to transport visitors between towns - i.e. from Jasper to Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise - such as the Bike 'n' Hike Shuttle, Roam bus and Sundog.

Jasper town is where lots of great guided hikes in Jasper National Park begin

Where to stay in Jasper

Despite being home to only 5,000 year-round residents, Jasper town and the surrounding national park boast a vast amount of lodging options to accommodate the more than a million visitors that visit the area each year. If you’re looking for luxury, you can find it in Jasper. For a budget-friendly dorm-room bunk? Yep, you can get that too. Note that some businesses were affected by the 2024 wildfire and availability continues to change, so confirm your accommodation is open and booking for your dates before you travel.

Road Bridge in Jasper National Park on a hiking trail

Jasper offers a wide range of places to stay, from luxury lodges and mid-range hotels to budget hostels, cabins and bed & breakfasts, both in the town and across the surrounding national park. Availability is tighter while the town rebuilds after the 2024 wildfire, so book early and confirm your accommodation is open for your dates.

Heritage building of tourist information center in Jasper, Planning your trip to Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park also boasts over 1700 campsites, giving you the opportunity to really get down and dirty with the stunning natural surroundings. Many of the sites are open year round, able to accommodate anything from a small one-person tent to a large motorhome. At each campground, firewood is provided with the purchase of a fire permit and bear-proof lockers are available for storage. In addition, log cookhouses are available for bad weather. Reservations are available for some campsites, while all others are on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you plan to arrive during peak months (June through September) make sure to come early.

For more information on campsites in Jasper, please visit the Parks Canada website Jasper National Park camping page.

Visiting Medicine Lake should be included in planning your trip to Jasper National Park

Where to eat in Jasper

Jasper town has a good range of places to eat, from casual pizza, pubs and bakeries to upscale dining built around Canadian Rocky Mountain ingredients such as wild game and local seafood. The dining scene is still rebuilding after the 2024 wildfire, with some spots closed, relocated or reopened in new premises, so check current listings for what is open when you visit.

Bull elk during the rut season in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

What else can you do besides hiking in Jasper?

Jasper is truly a year-round destination – with a huge variety of activities to keep you busy no matter what the weather. With so many sights to see – from the Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, to the Athabasca Glacier and Falls and the Mount Edith Cavell Trail – hiking here is exceptional. But what can you do when your feet get tired or you need a change of scenery?

In winter, skiing and boarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, ice climbing, embarking on a sleigh ride or a dog sled tour are all definite possibilities. Jasper is home to Marmot Basin, famous for the highest base elevation for all of Canada’s ski areas.

If you’re heading there in the warmer months, don’t worry – there’s even more to do! For more outdoor exploring, test your athletic prowess with a bit of rock climbing. You can also set off on a bike ride – with hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike trails, this is one of the best ways to explore the area.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a great place to stay at in Jasper National Park

There’s plenty to do beyond the trails. You can also play a round on the area’s award-winning mountain golf course or unwind at a local spa. For a dash of culture, visit the town’s museum to learn the area’s history, or take in the night sky at the planetarium – Jasper sits in the world’s second largest dark sky preserve, where almost no artificial light is visible at night.

Include visiting Athabasca River in your trip to Jasper National Park

Dangers in the park

Never feed or approach wildlife. Always carry bear spray.
You must use the food storage cables or lockers provided to suspend or secure all food, garbage, toiletries (e.g. deodorant) and cooking equipment.
Even though it may look pristine, make sure you boil, treat or filter all water before drinking it.
If bringing pets in the park, always keep them on a leash – they may look appetizing to a predator.
Pay attention to avalanche conditions, especially at higher altitudes.
Weather can change quickly. Make sure to bring multiple layers.
The roads may be very crowded during peak seasons. Pay attention to wildlife, especially at dusk and dawn.
Always bring sunglasses, a hat and wear sunscreen – even in winter. The sun at the alpine altitude is very strong.
The nights can get very cold – even in summer. Pack a warm sleeping bag.
Pay attention to your surroundings, rock and icefall are common occurrences in the park all year long.

Lake Edith is one of the must-visit places in Jasper National Park

What else you need to know about Jasper

A valid Parks Canada pass is required to enter Jasper National Park. You can buy a day pass or an annual Discovery Pass online or at the park gates.
Campfires are only allowed on campgrounds with provided fireboxes. On all other campsites a backpacking stove is required.
Law protects all rocks, fossils, horns, antlers, wildflowers, mushrooms, nests and any other natural or historic object within the park. Leave them in their nature setting.
Make sure you bring bug spray – especially for long hiking trips.

Planning the wider trip? Browse our guided Canadian Rockies tours, or see our guide to planning a family trip to the Canadian Rockies.

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